Readers' Rides

There’s nothing better than going your own way. Tell us about it—and win.

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

LIVES: COFFS HARBOUR

DRIVES: 2023 D-MAX 4X4 X-TERRAIN

My husband and I are photographers and we bought the D-MAX for our photography shoots because we often have to go out and off the beaten track. We just got back from the first client shoot we’ve had since we bought it, shooting a stock truck loaded with Brahman bulls in the middle of a paddock. The D-MAX didn’t disappoint, it’s so comfortable, and smooth and easy to drive, as well as doubling as a handy lift platform and tripod!

Warren is a contributor to (trucking industry magazine) OwnerDriver and the reason we went for the D-MAX is that he used to drive an Isuzu truck in New Zealand and thought it was pretty much indestructible. He knew that the brand was really reliable. Now I just have to get Warren to share the ute— I catch a train to work in the city, and it’s his toy, so I’m working on him.

JAMES MCDONALD

LIVES: NIMBIN, NSW

DRIVES: 2017 MU-X 4X4 LS-U

Following my retirement, the time was right to purchase a caravan and 4WD. My auto mechanic in Murwillumbah was the only person I’d trust to give me unbiased advice on the best vehicle for my needs, although he was employed by another brand!

I asked him to take his work hat off for a moment and tell me, brand agnostic, what to buy and halfway into my story he stopped me and said, “Jim, just buy an Isuzu. You won’t have any problems with it, they don’t have any recalls, they just go and go and go.” I said, “A D-MAX or an MU-X?” He said it didn’t matter!

We’re still waiting to explore Australia because COVID hit and diesel was suddenly over $2 a litre, but it’s been handy up here on the north coast since the floods. We have family and friends in Sydney so ‘Muxie’ and I have done that drive several times! Muxie isn’t just a car, she’s a family member, and I just can’t believe how good she is on fuel.

KEVIN SAWYER

LIVES: NORTH NARRABEEN, NSW

DRIVES: 2018 MU-X 4X4 LS-T

We’ve just embarked on the big one two weeks ago: our grand lap around the country. We’re going to take our time—we’re happy for it to take a couple of years if we need it to. We’re heading north from Sydney, heading clockwise, and I’m currently sitting taking in an incredible view in the Warrumbungles at Siding Springs Observatory. We’ve always wanted to take off like this; we originally thought about it 20 years ago when I was back in the workforce. We did a trial trip across to Perth and back camping under canvas and that made us realise that, er, no, we’d rather do it with a caravan. Haha! We’ve done over 10,000km so far in the car and it has not missed a beat— so much so that I forget sometimes that I now have 2.8 tonnes hanging off the tow bar. It’s so frugal while not skimping on pulling power and it’s all been magnificent so far.

LEEANN GRIBBEN

LIVES: UPPER COOMERA, QLD

DRIVES: 2023 MU-X 4X4 LS-T

We recently went for a spin through the Lost World at the wilderness end of Lamington National Park in Queensland. It’s good for four-wheel driving—and it’s great because there’s just not a lot of stuff out there, and it’s perfect if you’re looking for a bit of space. We just love getting away from people! This photo was taken out at Christmas Creek, where there are a few free camps, and other spots where you can pay the farmer a small fee to camp on their land. It was good to get the MU-X dirty and we had a swim in the creek, too!

We looked at a lot of cars before we went for the MU-X. We wanted something with lots of space in the back so we could put the seats down and a mattress in and sleep in it! We are quite short, though! We want to do more off-roading and in the end just couldn’t beat the Isuzu for value for money. My son works over at Tangalooma Island, where he’s in charge of the dolphin feeding, so we’re hoping to be able to do some four-wheel driving over there!

TONY FAGAN

LIVES: LISMORE NSW

DRIVES: 2022 D-MAX 4X4 LS-U CREW CAB

This is the second D-MAX I’ve had! I bought it at the start of the financial year and teamed it up with a GEN3 ERG premium canopy, which I just love. I’m getting ready for the great outdoors, hoping to wind down from working in the construction industry and moving into semi-retirement to do a spot of caravanning.

The next big purchase is the caravan itself, when we’ll be able to properly do the grey nomad thing: travelling, fishing, just hanging out with the wife, the dogs and the grandkids. So far I’ve explored up around Evans Head, and in between Lennox and Byron, and into the hinterland and Mount Warning. I’m looking forward to ‘going my own way’ even further.

Win a $100 BIG4 Holiday Parks Gift Card!

We are giving away five x $100 gift cards to help you go your own way.

Simply send us a high-resolution image of your D-MAX or MU-X and a 100 word blurb, along with your VIN, name, contact details, suburb and model of your Isuzu to maxd@iua.net.au

Featured Readers' Rides will each receive a $100 gift card for use at BIG4 Holiday Parks.